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Creation
My Faith Story
Answer the BIG QUESTION: What can I really
do to make a difference in caring for creation?
Open the Bible
The Genesis story takes two forms: first, the creation of
the heavens and earth in a series of six days followed by a day of rest; and
second, the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. These two stories
contradict one another at times, and if Genesis were submitted for publication
today as a brand new manuscript, it would probably go through much revision.
The first creation story (Genesis 1:1–2:4) is a methodical
story beginning with the chaos of a dark, formless void that in six days
becomes a flourishing, diverse earth with living creatures of all kinds. This
creation account moves from confusion to order in a logical sequence by the
command of the all-powerful God.
The second creation story (Genesis 2:4–25) begins with the
creation of a human from the dust of the ground. Here, too, God is the creator.
But God is personified—planting a garden, breathing into the nostrils of the
human being—which playfully allows for errors in creation.
Despite their literary differences, both of these creation
stories point to one thing: God is the creator, and we are part of God's good
creation. Boundaries between creator and creation have been set; there is order
in the world between God and humans, humans and animals, and in the
interrelationships within humanity.
The creation stories of Genesis tell us who we are and where
we came from while still acknowledging the deep mystery of God. Some things
just can't be explained, even with a really good story. What we do know is that
we were created in God's own image (1:27) and that "God saw everything
that [God] had made, and indeed, it was very good" (1:31).
Read Genesis 1:1-2:25, preferably from your Bible, but you may also use the online version HERE.
What is your favorite verse from this reading? Why is it your favorite?
Created is the translation of a Hebrew verb that was
used in the Bible only when referring to God, not to people. Only God could
create the world. Only God could speak and bring everything into being. Genesis
doesn't give details as to how or when this was done, but it does declare that
God is the creator of all. We stand in awe of this creator who loved us enough
to make us the climax of the creation.
Think about a time when you had no idea about how you looked. Maybe you were helping your
grandmother sort through old photos, or you were raking leaves, or you were
just acting goofy with your brother or sister. That's the image of God that you
were made in—a reflection of goodness so involved in living and being connected
that it makes you forget yourself and causes you to be your truest self.
How do
you reflect that image of God when you are with your friends?
Re-read Genesis 1:31
Why do you think this is a key verse in the creation story?
Compare the two creation stories in Genesis 1:1–2:4 and 2:4–25.
Why do you think there are two similar, but different stories?
The Bible is not a history book or a science book; it is a book of faith. It tells us
about God's relationship with humankind.
What problems are caused when we think of the Bible as a book of science? as history?
Open the Catechism
Open your Student Book to page 75: Five Most Common Images For God in the Bible.
Why do you think one God can have so many different images and names?
Think of a time when you felt particularly close to God or experienced God in nature. Think about how the power of God and nature came together for you. Share a part of your own faith story. Tell about reflecting God's image in everything you do and being a good steward of creation.
God loves to create. God started creating by bringing order
to chaos, and God is still creating today. God's creating purposes today are accomplished through all kinds of people—farmers
who raise food to feed us, carpenters who build our homes and churches, people
who make clothes, educators who teach us skills, and many more people.
Name some people you know who create things.
Open your Student Book to page 299: Read the first article of the
Apostles' Creed.
Create a list of all the things mentioned that
God provides as the creator.
What would you say is our response to this creative activity of
God?
Quiz
Multiple Choice Questions
1. The creation stories of Genesis tell us . . .
a. who we are and
where we came from.
b. more than the
new food pyramid does.
c. that God is
the same as the creation.
d. that creation
was a one-time event that took seven days.
2. Human beings are given a special place in God's creation,
which means . . .
a. they have a
heavy responsibility.
b. they can ruin
things at their leisure.
c. they are
pangolins.
d. they are free
of any responsibility.
3. God brought order out of chaos in the creation, proving
once and for all that . . .
a. God can now
order us around.
b. it was tough
getting the oceans to behave.
c. chaos will never
win over God.
d. creating the
universe wasn't very hard to do.
4. We are made "in God's image." That means . . .
a. God must
really be good-looking.
b. we were
created to please God and do God's work in the world.
c. God could use
a makeover.
d. we have the
same powers as God.
True or False Questions
5. God rested in the middle of the creation week.
6. Created in the Hebrew language is a verb reserved
for God's action, not people's activity.
7. The day of rest is called the Sabbath.
8. God saw everything that was made, and was not satisfied, so God started over.
Fill in the Blank
9. God created light and darkness on this day__________________
10. God created humans on this day_________________
11. Dry land, trees and plants came to be on this day_______________
Genesis 1 or 2 or both?
12. Woman was made from man's rib____________
13. Light and darkness were created____________
14. The Garden of Eden is found___________
15. God names the rivers_______________
Creation Thoughts
16. What is the theme of the first Creation story?
a. God dominates all things
b. God creates all things
c. Big Bang
d. God relates to human beings
17. What is the theme of the second Creations story?
a. God dominates all things
b. God creates all things
c. Big Bang
d. God relates to human beings
18. The Creation stories are __________ stories, not scientific.
a. faith
b. history
c. philosophy
d. children's
Fill in the blank
19. The earth began as a __________________________________
20. On the seventh day God created __________________________
Genesis 1:3 because there could of been a big bang
ReplyDeletebecause it meant God was happy.
because the bible was written by different people
IDK especially "mother" because God killed a lot of people.
Almost all the jobs I can think of.
God created everything
I have no idea
Joseph, please go back and answer the questions in a way that I can decipher. It looks like you have a couple of good points, but I can't tell what question you're answering, and the lack of punctuation makes it more difficult for me to read. The easiest way to fix this would be to use the question in your answer.
DeleteAlso, please start the exercise by answering the BIG QUESTION at the very beginning.
Finally, IDK, or "I have no idea" are not answers. Please try a little harder, and if you need help you can call me.
this is actually Joseph. o.k.
Delete1.a
ReplyDelete2.a
3.c
4.b
5.f
6.t
7.t
8.f
9.1
10.6
11.3
12.2
13.1
14.2
15.2
16.b
17.d
18.a
19. an unstable atom
20. rest/nothing/Sabbath day (Saturday last day of the week)
You have one answer that is incorrect. Can you find which one it is?
Deletethe big bang started with an unstable atom.
DeleteGenesis 1:2, because I like water, even if it is ragey, it makes it more fun to swim in.
ReplyDeleteI act calm, and try not to act stupid.
Because God was pleased with what he had done.
Because there was two versions of how the Earth was created.
IDK.
Because everybody knew him differently.
Almost every job I know of.
IDK
James, same as your brother...please go back and answer the questions in a way that I can decipher. It looks like you have a couple of good points, but I can't tell what question you're answering. The easiest way to fix this would be to use the question in your answer.
DeleteAlso, please start the exercise by answering the BIG QUESTION at the very beginning.
Finally, IDK is not an answer. Please try a little harder, and if you need help you can call me.
1.d
ReplyDelete2.a
3.c
4.b
5.False
6.False
7.True
8.False
9.Day 1
10.Day 6
11.Day 3
12.Genesis 2
13.Genesis 1
14.Genesis 2
15.Genesis 2
16.b
17.d
18.a
19.formless and desolate place, covered with a dark raging water.
20.nothing, as he was resting from his 6 days of hard work.
James, you have two incorrect answers. Can you find them?
ReplyDeleteI think that verse 1:31 in Genesis because it shows how much God loves us.
ReplyDelete1 a. who we are and where we came from.
2 c. chaos will never win over God. 3 b. we were created to please God and do God's work in the world.
5.false
6.true
7.true
8.false
9.one
10.six
11.six
12.one
13.one
14.one
15.one
16.b
17.d
18.a
19.void
20.the sabbath day
My favorite verse was "And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day."
ReplyDelete(Genesis 1:31 ESV) because that's when the whole Earth was made and God decided that it was good and he liked it.
I think it's a key verse because that's God deciding that everything he had just made was exactly how he had planned it and envisioned it. It wasn't corrupted, it wasn't altered, it was perfect.
God has so many different images because he appears differently to people. Depending on the situation, he can change to fit the circumstance.
1.A
2.A
3.C
4.B
5.False
6.True
7.True
8.False
9. The 1st day
10.The 6th day
11.The 3rd day
12.Genesis 2
13.Genesis 1
14.Genesis 2
15.Genesis 2
16.B
17.D
18.A
19.A formless dark void
20.nothing it was the day of rest